Debut or Die - Chapter 207

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Fatal Illness if I Don’t Debut – Episode 207
It had been a tumultuous month.
-Teacher, we need your approval on our choreography concept first!
-I apologize, but if the lyrics are revised this way, there will be considerable sections that don’t match the rhythm.
-The concept photo outfits have arrived.
With the comeback countdown underway and endless revisions needed, eventually all the staff members were working as if they’d lost their minds.
Of course, the peak was the music video.
No matter what we did, we reached the conclusion that we couldn’t finish editing by the deadline.
‘It was unsettling.’
So we adjusted the schedule—releasing the audio track first on Tuesday, the comeback date, then unveiling the music video at midnight on Thursday.
At the time, it felt like we’d take a loss, but surprisingly, this approach yielded remarkably positive results.
‘Because the audio dropped first, we actually secured a chart position without prejudice.’
The Steampunk Joseon concept in the music video is an interesting element, but it’s not exactly relatable, is it?
If this uniqueness influenced the impression of the audio itself, there was a high probability it would have damaged mass appeal unnecessarily.
But by using it as an intriguing teaser to generate buzz, then having people listen to the track separately, the song’s mass appeal blended in smoothly.
As a result, we’re currently fluctuating between 4th and 5th place on the largest music chart.
[4th Place Spring out / Testa] ▲1
Honestly, I’d predicted top ten, so this is surprisingly smooth.
‘Once we do some stage appearances and variety shows like before, our user base will grow further.’
So this time, I deliberately scheduled quite a few slots on major domestic variety shows as a team unit. We’ll leverage the buzz we created with the reality content too.
‘This should be worth looking forward to.’
Of course, for smooth company operations going forward, the most important thing is the global response.
As for charting on the Billboard main chart—I’m not even expecting that.
‘We don’t have that level of overseas recognition yet.’
If we were seriously targeting Billboard, we would have needed to release simultaneously in America on a Friday right after the comeback so that the first week’s performance would be completely reflected in that chart.
The fact that we couldn’t possibly build that infrastructure within three weeks is entirely understandable.
‘Damn.’
Besides, even the album chart would be our only real shot, and the song chart itself is hopeless without a fanbase on VTIC’s level.
So with this single-track activity, I can’t measure Testa’s global growth through Billboard chart entries.
‘I’ll focus on proving that we’ve elevated Testa’s global recognition.’
The answer lies in Testa’s search volume on global search engines, platform view counts by country, and the scale of tour expansion.
And the music video reactions we’re doing now will serve as excellent YouTube content to drive that.
“Oh, it’s starting.”
“So exciting~”
The members, despite their eyes glazed with exhaustion, were chattering enthusiastically—truly admirable attitude.
‘Must be the settlement.’
The first quarter settlement that came in a few days ago exceeded the first settlement we’d received, which had been held up for over half a year since debut.
Bae Sae-jin had been delighted, saying he’d paid off his real estate mortgage.
In any case, I clapped my hands as earnestly as I could while watching the monitor.
The music video started from the end of the teaser—from the overturned train.
-I…
fancy messy sneaky collapsing
BOOM!
As the low, narrative-like rap ended, the train exploded.
And Cha Yu-jin, who emerged unscathed from the blast, snatched a newspaper tumbling through the air and smirked.
It was that worn newspaper Park Moon-dae had been holding in the teaser.
“Oh~”
“That’s cool, right?”
“Yeah!”
While Cha Yu-jin beside me enthusiastically proclaimed his own coolness, the Cha Yu-jin on screen dashed excitedly into the city, unfolding the music video’s storyline.
And then came the rhythmic, leisurely opening melody.
-Languidly I let go and enjoyed
This comfortable Driving Mode
Experienced plenty of Fame, Pain
An exploration unfolds in a bizarre city blending science fiction, modernity, and Joseon aesthetics—essentially reminiscent of old American Western adventure films.
Though I made sure it didn’t seem overly fixated on the narrative.
‘After all, it’s a music video.’
I ensured plenty of impressive choreography scenes set against surreal architectural interiors and sparkling Wilderness backdrops.
And I’d specifically instructed them to balance the story distribution carefully.
Cha Yu-jin started first, but then each member would appear one by one during their parts, passing the baton.
“Why, why is Sae-jin wearing a monocle…?”
“Ah~ I was a nine-tailed fox before, right? You know, that thing about being mesmerized when you look into their eyes~ I’m just showing a bit of that?”
“That’s cool.”
“Hey hey? Moon-dae, put more soul into it!”
“Wow, that’s really cool.”
I filled in the predetermined lines like this throughout. Just exclamations alone would be boring.
Of course, I did include exclamations too.
“Wow, Bae Sae-jin!”
“Ah, your acting is always amazing…!”
“Well, not quite that much.”
Praise poured out as Bae Sae-jin pressed the analog gauge and the train was restored, gears turning.
“There was nothing in front of there, yet it felt so real!”
“Right. When Sae-jin was acting, there was just green screen everywhere, everyone.”
Meaning he’d acted in front of a green screen with only a focus rod.
It might seem like we’re bragging about our technical prowess, but that’s not it at all.
We simply didn’t have time to build the full set, so we chose CGI to stretch the budget instead….
‘That production company must have been through hell too.’
And despite those circumstances, I gave all the flashy CG scenes to the one who could act without hesitation, which was Bae Sae-jin.
“…I’m glad it turned out well, and I’ll work hard going forward.”
“Wow!”
Bae Sae-jin’s face flushed crimson as he bowed repeatedly toward the camera.
Well, it seemed the recent public sentiment toward him had become favorable, making things considerably easier.
The music video reaction continued in that vein.
“Look at that! Kim Rae-bin can’t move!”
“That’s not it! I’m playing a goblin, so the director requested such static movements to convey an air of mystery!”
Soon, a significant scene played out in the coal mine where I—Park Moon-dae—made contact with Kim Rae-bin, and both the song and visuals reached their crescendo.
From a languid reggae into an intense, profound mombaton.
-Truth is, I know what’s lacking
What I need is sensation
This aching, burning
thirst of time
As we moved into the latter half, the story revealed a more concrete sense of purpose.
The train derailment in the music video teaser was aimed at the goblins who had come to the city to receive ‘citizenship certificates.’
That’s why the members were trying to capture this terrorist for various reasons—to obtain their own citizenship.
And anyone who saw the teaser would have guessed it: the terrorist is Ryu Chung-woo.
-no oh, no-oh no-oh
This burning, thirsting time
Soon the members on screen found themselves facing off against Ryu Chung-woo in the dead of night, his expression domineering as he glared down at them.
“Ooh!”
The scene, tastefully layered with CG, looked convincingly realistic without excess.
It could easily have resembled some low-budget B-movie, but money, as always, delivered its worth.
And the various interpretations that emerged from this scene were quite fascinating.
For reference, the dominant interpretation was this:
-It’s a metaphor for discrimination!
The reasoning went like this:
-The members, who appeared as overwhelmingly powerful and mysterious beings in “The Royal Procession,” must now strive to be recognized as members within human society’s framework.
-Set against the backdrop of a modern era where sufficient discourse and conscious growth regarding human rights haven’t yet occurred, the theme of discrimination naturally permeates the narrative.
-By arranging the storyline similarly to “The Royal Procession,” the thematic consciousness becomes even more pronounced.
-Moreover, Ryu Chung-woo, who ultimately realized he was a goblin in “The Royal Procession,” has now become a terrorist by denying goblins’ right to citizenship.
-This stems from the sentiment of discrimination born from self-hatred.
-In other words, Testa’s music video this time reflects a critical consciousness regarding discrimination.
Truthfully, I hadn’t thought about it in such grandiose terms, but it was remarkable how they immediately grasped what we had actually considered.
Of course, it seemed to have been utilized that way in the end.
[Foreigners shocked by Testa’s surprising music video metaphor with goblins!]
[A counterattack against the anti-Asian racism experienced in America? Review of Testa’s new song]
Since we filmed this video quite late, I’d already gone through the public reactions and analyses thoroughly, so these thoughts naturally came to mind.
Regardless, at the song’s climax, a battle between the members and Ryu Chung-woo is implied, leading into an intense climactic choreography.
Ah, that’s my part right there.
-Seeping into today’s sensation
Savoring this moment, this gaze, this premonition
Right now, without warning
Spring out
Ryu Chung-woo’s cuts—spinning an ebony rifle in a full rotation before firing—were spliced into the appropriate sections one after another.
“Wow!”
“Hyung, that was so cool??”
“You really look like a Boss! What a badass!”
“Hm, is that so? Haha.”
Ryu Chung-woo laughed with a hint of bashfulness. Truth be told, he’d seemed quite pleased with himself during filming—it looked like he’d discovered a newfound passion for marksmanship—but for now, best to keep that to himself.
“Well, the thing is, we’re at a 6:1 ratio, so it’s a bit awkward, right?”
“No! Winning is good! We just need to win!”
….
That part would need to be edited out.
The music video featured more waves and hair flips than their previous releases, capturing the dramatic choreography beautifully, and ultimately concluded with the yokai subduing Ryu Chung-woo.
However, Cha Yu-jin stepped forward with a smirk, and a brief instrumental section not present in the original track played.
[….]
Cha Yu-jin slipped a citizenship certificate application into Ryu Chung-woo’s hand.
-Bite, tear, savor
Now, Spring out
Sharp and bitter
Swallow it all
The music returned, and the ending concluded just like that.
The members added their comments with practiced nonchalance, as if seeing it for the first time.
“Ooh~”
“It, it turned out really cool…!”
“We were simply amazed at how perfectly the storyboard was executed!”
“Thank you, Director~ We love you, Reviewer, for watching our music video~”
“We hope it becomes a huge hit.”
Everyone already knew the music video had shattered Testa’s own view count record, but for propriety’s sake, they added these remarks anyway.
[Woohoo!]
[Wahaha!]
After watching a few seconds of the post-credits scene showing those who’d obtained citizenship running around excitedly, it seemed like they’d extracted the right amount of content.
“So everyone, we’ll work hard and look great in our activities this time too, so please give us lots of interest and love.”
“See you soon~”
With those closing remarks, the camera shut off.
And the moment the staff began gathering their equipment, every member’s exhaustion returned in an instant.
“Sigh….”
“Do you think we’ll be able to stay awake tomorrow…?”
Current time: 1:30 AM.
Considering they had to leave for the salon at 4 AM tomorrow, they should have gone to sleep immediately, but with final choreography practice in mind, an all-nighter was inevitable.
“Let’s push through.”
“Yes.”
Well, there’s no other way around it, so I’ll just have to make do… but I’d at least like to reduce commute time if possible.
‘It’s about time we changed dormitories.’
I wanted to relocate the dormitory closer to central Seoul.
Looking at the settlement amount, it seemed I could secure that level of investment.
‘I’ll negotiate the deal after seeing how this promotion performs.’
To secure the best possible location and terms, I decided to carefully consider the timing before shelving the thought for now. I was simply too busy.
However, the very next day.
This matter surfaced immediately.
“Testa members, what would you think about moving to a better dormitory?”
“Pardon?”
Of course, it wasn’t some charitable notion where the Agency voluntarily covered costs out of concern for their exhausted artists.
The Chief Manager spoke with a deliberately pained expression.
“Well… you see, the apartment complex keeps receiving complaints.”
Ah.
“Those crazy fans, they keep trying to sneak into the complex, and the management office says they can’t handle it anymore.”
Right. I wondered why this problem hadn’t come up sooner.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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